Movable apparatus for replacing an old track by a new track

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for the continuous replacement of an old track by a new track comprises a train assembly continuously moving along a right of way during the replacement, the right of way consisting of an old track section, a new track section and an intermediate right of way section wherein the old track is renewed, suitable track removal and laying tools being provided on the train assembly. This assembly consists of a first train section moving on the old track, a second train assembly moving on the new track and, linking the two train sections, an intermediate train section bridging the intermediate right of way section, the intermediate train section having two undercarriages which respectively run on the old and new track sections.

nite States Erna et a1.

tent 1 AN OLD CK BY A NEW TRACK [76] Inventors: Plasser Erna; TheurerJosef,

Johannesgasse 3, Vienna A-lOlO, Austria [22] Filed: Apr. 13, 1973 [21]Appl. No.: 350,735

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 2, 1972 Austria 3818/72 [52]US. Cl. 104/2 [51] Int. Cl E01b 29/02 [58] Field of Search 104/2, 3, 4,7, 9, 8

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,286,648 11/1966 Brosnan104/2 3,330,219 7/1967 Plasser et a1... 104/2 3,465,687 9/1969 Kerns104/2 3,548,750 12/1970 Hostland 104/2 [451 Apr. 30, 1974 PrimaryExaminerRobert G. Sheridan Assistant Examiner-Richard A. BertschAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Kurt Kelman [57] TRACT An apparatus for thecontinuous replacement of an old track by a new track comprises a trainassembly continuously moving along a right of way during thereplacement, the right of way consisting of an old track section, a newtrack section and an intermediate right of way section wherein the oldtrack is renewed, suitable track removal and laying tools being providedon the train assembly. This assembly consists of a first train sectionmoving on the old track, a second train assembly moving on the new trackand, linking the two train sections, an intermediate train sectionbridging the intermediate right of way section, the intermediate trainsection having two undercarriages which respectively run on the old andnew track sections.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures MOVABLE APPARATUS FOR REPLACHNG AN OLD TRACKBY A NEW TRACK The present invention relates to improvements inapparatus for the continuous replacement of an old track by a new trackconsisting of track parts including two rails and ties supporting therails on ballast, which comprises a train assembly continuously movingalong a right of way during the replacement, the right of way consistingof a section of old track, a section of new track and an intermediateright of way section wherein the old track is replaced by the new track.The replacement may include only the two track rails or the track railsand ties.

An apparatus of this type has been described and claimed in US. Pat. No.3,699,894, dated Oct. 24, 1972. ln this apparatus, the train assemblyconsists of a first train section moving on the old track rails, asecond train section moving on the new track rails and an intermediatetrain section bridging the intermediate right of way section, meansbeing provided to link the intermediate train section respectively tothe first and second train sections to interconnect the same for commonmovement along the right of way. This apparatus comprises, on the trainassembly, means for transporting and supporting at least one of thetrack parts of the old and new track, means for respectively receivingat least one of the track parts of the old track and laying at least oneof the track parts of the new track, the track part receiving and layingmeans including tools movable in respect of the right of way in alateral and- /or vertical direction, and means for guiding the trackrails bridging the intermediate right of way section without substantialfriction.

Such an apparatus has made it possible to proceed with track renewal inthe manner of a moving assembly line, taking into full consideration theflexing moments to which the rails are subjected under'varying operatingconditions, particularly in track curves. Apparatus of this type alsopermits accurate and automatic centering of the track part receiving andlaying means in respect of the track axis in tangent as well as curvedtrack sections.

In track renewal operations using apparatus of the above type, a ballastplow and grader has conventionally been used in the intermediate rightof way section, sometimes supplemented by a ballast cleaning machine, soas to renew the ballast bed at the same time the track is renewed. This,of course, considerably increases the length of the train assembly,making the apparatus uneconomical in some instances.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a track renewalapparatus of the indicated type which may be economically used underoperating conditions wherein the ballast has previously been cleanedand, if desired, leveled.

This and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the inventionby pivotally mounting the intermediate train section on twoundercarriages, one of the undercarriages running on the old tracksection and on its own undercarriages may be readily incorporated intothe track renewal train assembly, taking fully into account locallychanging conditions, such as bridges, overpasses, tunnels and otherspecial types of track sections to be renewed. While increasing theeconomy and adaptability of the apparatus, the present invention alsoassures higher accuracy and quality of the track renewal operation.

According to one feature of this invention, the intermediate trainsection is a single rigid frame and the frame is mounted pivotally onthe undercarriages near the respective ends of the frame. Couplingsconnect the respective frame ends to rail transport cars of the firstand second train sections respectively. In this manner, the ends of theintermediate train section is doubly pivotally arranged in the trainassembly, which further improves the adaptability of the assembly foruse in track curves and the centering of the track receiving and layingtools.

In a preferred embodiment, each undercarriage is a swivel truck withthree axles, and hydraulically operated means is mounted in the regionof the undercarriages for laterally moving the intermediate trainsection as a unit in respect of the right of way. Such an arrangementmakes it possible to use the apparatus in very narrow curves withoutencountering any difficulties in the continuous, assembly line trackrenewal operation.

The intermediate train section may be a selfpropellable vehicle havingdrive and drive control means enabling the vehicle to operateindependently of the train assembly. In this way, it may be readilyexchanged in the train assembly for adaptation to different operatingconditions and may be used independently, being moved from place toplace on its own power. This, of course, further increases the economyof the apparatus.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description of anew preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing wherein I FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of anapparatus according to the present invention and FIG. 2 is a plan viewof the apparatus.

It will be understood that, throughout the specification and claims, theterm new track and track parts refers only to the fact that these trackparts from part of a newly laid track and that such replacement railsand/or ties may, in fact, be used parts.

Referring now to the drawing, the intermediate train section 1 isillustrated as a rigid frame 2 whose one end is mounted on undercarriage4 constituted by a swivel truck while its other end is mounted onundercarriage 4' also constituted by a swivel truck. Undercarriage 4runs on rails 3 of the old track section and undercarriage 4' runs onrails 3 of the new track section, the track renewal operation proceedingin the direction of arrow 10.

As shown the swivel trucks 4, 4' have three axles, which assures a goodload distribution of the entire weight of the frame 2 pressing on therails 3, 3' so that neither the old or the new track are subjected toundue loads. It is, of course, possible to use singleor doubleaxleundercarriages.

A pivotal pin, ball-and-socket joint or like pivot connection 5, 5'mounts the intermediate train section 1 on its undercarriages, theintermediate section of the right of way, wherein the track is renewed,i.e. the old rail 3 and/or old ties 6 are received and the new rail 3'and/or new ties 6' are laid, extending between the undercarriages 4, 4'.For the purpose of track renewal, means for respectively receiving atleast one of the track parts of the old track and laying at least one ofthe track parts of the new track are mounted on the intermediate tracksection. These means include tools 7, 7' which are movable laterallyand/or vertically in respect of the right of way for receiving the oldrails 3 and laying the new rails 3',

Since more fully disclosed in our U.S. Pat. No. 3,330,219, dated July11, 1967, and No. 3,521,565, dated July 21, 1970, the track replacementtools are only schematically shown and include means 8, such as guiderollers, for guiding the track rails without substantial friction, theguide rollers being divergently arranged so that the rails are spreadapart beyond the track gage in the intermediate section of the right ofway to enable the old ties to be taken up and the new ties to be laidwithout hindrance.

If it is desired to replace the ties as well as the rails, means 9, 9,also well known, are mounted on train sec tion 1 for receiving the oldties 6 and laying new ties 6'.

The track renewal operating cycle proceeds as follows:

After the track rail fastening means have been removed from the oldtrack in a forward section of the train assembly not shown herein, tools7 mounted behind undercarriage 4 lift the old rails 3 off the ties asthe train assembly moves continuously in the direction of arrow 10, andthe raised track rails are spread apart, as indicated in FIG. 2. The oldrails are then guided without substantial friction along the entirelength of intermediate train section 1 by rollers 8, without beingpermanently deformed. After the intermediate section of the right of wayhas passed, these old rails 3 may either be laid again in the new tracksection or they may be loaded on cars forming part of the second trainsection.

The new rails 3', which may be transported on cars forming part of thefirst train section or which may be placed next to the old rails, i.e.,adjacent the tie ends, are similarly spread in the region of theintermediate right of way section, the new rails being shown in fulllines while the old rails are shown in chain-dotted lines.

If the track renewal operation also involves a renewal of the ties, thelose old ties 6 in the intermediate section of the right of way arelifted and removed by tools 9 arranged to take up pairs of adjacent tiesand to pivot them 90 in the region of the spread rails so that the oldties are positioned parallel to the right of way. After the old tieshave been turned, they are lifted above the level of the pair ofconveyor bands 11, 11. The conveyor bands are then inwardly moved in atransverse direction until they are aligned with the old ties, whereupontools 9 are opened and deposit the ties on the conveyors. The twoconveyors'are then moved apart again to their original position adjacentthe rails to convey the ties to the two elongated conveyors 12 whichtransport the ties to cars provided in the train assembly for storingthe old ties.

Immediately after the old ties have been removed, a like apparatus 9-lays new ties 6' brought to the intermediate section of the right of wayby elongated con veyors 12 which move the new ties into laterallyadjustable conveyor bands 11 which bring them into the reach of tools 9'turning the new ties to lay them at desired crib spacings.

The two elongated tie conveyors 12, 12 are pivotally mounted about avertical axis in the region of the pivots 5, 5' for the undercarriages,4, 4 to assure an accurate transfer of the ties from conveyor bands 11,11' to conveyors 12, 12' in track curves.

After the new ties have been laid, the new rails 3 are laid thereon bymeans of tools 7' and the newly laid rails are fastened at the desiredgage on the new ties in any suitable manner (not shown).

As illustrated, conventional couplings 13, 13' link the ends of theintermediate train section 1 to adjacent cars 14 and 15 of the first andsecond train sections so that all three train sections areinterconnected for common movement along the right of way. The pivotalconnection 5, 5 between the undercarriages 4, 4' and the frame 1,together with the pivotal connection 13, 13' between the frame and theadjacent train sections, assures a proper positioning of the trackrenewal tools 7, 7, 9, 9' in respect of the right of way, particularlyin curves.

This adaptation of the apparatus to various track shapes is furtherimproved and the apparatus is made universally adaptable also for trackcurves with small radius by providing a hydraulic motor 16, 16' in theregion of the pivots, 5, 5' for moving the entire frame 1 transverselyof the right of way. In this way, the track renewal tools will always beaccurately centered. It would also be possible to mount the trackrenewal tools themselves for transverse movement.

The cars 14, 15 may take various forms. Thus, car 14 may be used totransport old ties and new rails, and car 15 may be used to transportnew ties and the old rails. It is also possible, however, to use the car15 only for the old rails while succeeding cars are used to transportthe old and the new ties while the car 14 is used to house the dirve anddrive control for the intermediate train section 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the train section 1 is self-propellableto make it universally useful, carrying its own drive 17 and drivecontrol 18. In this manner, the train section 1 may be usedindependently, for instance if only the rails are to be replaced, and/orit may be inserted into a variety of train assemblies for track renewal.Therefore, it is useful to equip the intermediate train section 1 withits own operating stand 19 which houses the drive 17 and controls 18. Asschematically shown in FIG. 1, control lines 20 lead from the operatingstand to the track renewal tools 7, 7', 9, 9' and to the hydraulicmotors l6, 16.

It will be obvious from the above description of the structure andfunction of the intermediate train section according to the presentinvention that it may be used advantageously for the replacement ofrails as well as for the simultaneous replacement of the ties and railsin all cases where the ballast bed has been previously prepared, i.e.,leveled and, if desired, cleaned, any ballast required to fill the cribsafter the track renewal being stored on the shoulders. The universaladaptability of the intermediate train section is enhanced by the twopivotal connections between this section and the two other sections ofthe train assembly.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in connectionwith a preferred embodiment, it will be clearly understood that manymodifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art,particularly after benefiting from the present teaching. Moreparticularly, for instance, the intermediate train section may beinserted at any desired point in the train assembly.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for the continuous replacement of an old track by a newtrack consisting of track parts in cluding two rails and ties supportingthe rails on ballast, comprising a train assembly continuously movingalong a right of way during the replacement, the right of way consistingof a section of old track, a section of new track and an intermediateright of way section wherein the old track is replaced by the new track,the train assembly consisting of l. a first train section moving on theold track rails,

2. a second train section moving on the new track rails and 3. anintermediate train section bridging the intermediate right of waysection,

a. two undercarriages whereon the intermediate train section is mounted,one of the undercarriages running on the old track section and the otherundercarriage running on the new track section, and

b. means linking the intermediate train section respectively to thefirst and second train sections to interconnect the same for commonmovement along the right of way, and the apparatus further comprising onthe train assembly 4. means for transporting and supporting at least oneof the track parts of the old and new tracks,

5. means for respectively receiving at least one of the track parts ofthe old track and laying at least one of the track parts of the newtrack,

a. the track part receiving and laying means including tools movable inrespect of the right of way, and

6. means for guiding the track rails bridging the intermediate right ofway section witout substantial friction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the intermediate train section is asingle rigid frame, the frame being mounted pivotally on theundercarriages near the respective ends of the frame, and the linkingmeans being couplings connecting the respective frame ends to railtransport cars of the first and second train sections respectively.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the undercarriages hasthree axles.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising hydraulically operatedmeans in the region of the undercarriages for laterally moving theintermediate train section as a unit in respect of the right of way.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the intermediate train section is aself-propellable vehicle having drive and drive control means enablingthe vehicle to operate independently of the train assembly.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QETIHCATE 0F COBECTION PATENT NO. 3, 807,310

DATED April 30, 1974 INVEN TOR( 1 Franz Plasser, deceased, by ErnaPlasser et al It is certified that error appears in the ab0ve-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereb co r rected as shownbelow:

At 112/, change "Erna" to --Plasser, deceased-- At 17g, change "PlasserErna; Theurer Josef" to --Franz Plasser, deceased, late of Johannesgasse3, Vienna, Austria A-lOlO, by said Erna Plasser, heir: Josef Theurer--Signed and Sealed this Twentieth Day of July 1976 [SEAL] A ttes t:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner oj'ParenIsand Trademarks

1. An apparatus for the continuous replacement of an old track by a newtrack consisting of track parts including two rails and ties supportingthe rails on ballast, comprising a train assembly continuously movingalong a right of way during the replacement, the right of way consistingof a section of old track, a section of new track and an intermediateright of way section wherein the old track is replaced by the new track,the train assembly consisting of
 1. a first train secTion moving on theold track rails,
 2. a second train section moving on the new track railsand
 3. an intermediate train section bridging the intermediate right ofway section, a. two undercarriages whereon the intermediate trainsection is mounted, one of the undercarriages running on the old tracksection and the other undercarriage running on the new track section,and b. means linking the intermediate train section respectively to thefirst and second train sections to interconnect the same for commonmovement along the right of way, and the apparatus further comprising onthe train assembly
 4. means for transporting and supporting at least oneof the track parts of the old and new tracks,
 5. means for respectivelyreceiving at least one of the track parts of the old track and laying atleast one of the track parts of the new track, a. the track partreceiving and laying means including tools movable in respect of theright of way, and
 6. means for guiding the track rails bridging theintermediate right of way section witout substantial friction.
 2. asecond train section moving on the new track rails and
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the intermediate train section is a single rigidframe, the frame being mounted pivotally on the undercarriages near therespective ends of the frame, and the linking means being couplingsconnecting the respective frame ends to rail transport cars of the firstand second train sections respectively.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein each of the undercarriages has three axles.
 3. an intermediatetrain section bridging the intermediate right of way section, a. twoundercarriages whereon the intermediate train section is mounted, one ofthe undercarriages running on the old track section and the otherundercarriage running on the new track section, and b. means linking theintermediate train section respectively to the first and second trainsections to interconnect the same for common movement along the right ofway, and the apparatus further comprising on the train assembly
 4. meansfor transporting and supporting at least one of the track parts of theold and new tracks,
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprisinghydraulically operated means in the region of the undercarriages forlaterally moving the intermediate train section as a unit in respect ofthe right of way.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the intermediatetrain section is a self-propellable vehicle having drive and drivecontrol means enabling the vehicle to operate independently of the trainassembly.
 5. means for respectively receiving at least one of the trackparts of the old track and laying at least one of the track parts of thenew track, a. the track part receiving and laying means including toolsmovable in respect of the right of way, and
 6. means for guiding thetrack rails bridging the intermediate right of way section witoutsubstantial friction.